I’ve asked Dave to write the pattern for this tote not only because I’d like to knit one but because I’m thinking that others might too. I’ll let you know if and when the pattern becomes available. David has published a pattern for a shawl already so I know he’s no stranger to this kind of thing. His “Peace Shawl” pattern will be in the shop in a couple of weeks.
You may already know David Assemany from his Royal Oak business, The Aquarium Shop (www.theaquariumshoproyaloak.com). I’m fortunate to know Dave as a business owner, a knitter and friend. Dave designed and knit this gorgeous felted tote using Lopi. It’s absolutely stunning! While the picture is good, it doesn’t do the bag justice. Dave chose the beautiful green rolled leather handles (Grayson E.) from Muench Yarns (www.muenchyarns.com) to compliment the colors he used to knit the bag and they are the icing on the cake if I don’t say so myself! Did I mention that he purchased those fabulous handles here?
I just had to post this picture of Jae and Sonya. I offered the tabletop spindle to Jae to wind her yarn but she wasn’t having any of it. She opted to wind her yarn using herself as the spindle (the yarn necklace method?) which led to a discussion about all of the creative ways we’ve discovered to wind yarn.
Just in case you were thinking that Jae was looking rather silly in the first picture, take a look at the beautiful shawl that she knit in the picture on the right. I don’t care how she chooses to wind her yarn, she knits beautifully! In anticipating your question, the pattern is her original design. The last I heard, Jae was calling the shawl ”Pretty As A Peacock” but I don’t know if that’s official yet. I’m working on having Jae here to teach this gorgeous shawl as a workshop. Please sign up for our e-news so that you’ll be notified of this and other workshops as they’re added to the calendar.
Jae’s shawl was the final photo I took last night before the gang headed over to Amici’s (http://www.amicispizza.com/index_IE.html) for cocktails and delicious pizza. A good time was had by all. If you’re interested in joining us for KNO, we meet on the second Friday of the month from 7 - 9 p.m. There is no charge for all this fun but you must call to reserve your spot. See you soon!
I have to thank the two customers who recommended the goknit pouches. Susan (who did not attend KNO) came in with one and told me how great they were and Sonya, (knitting with purple yarn) in the photo at left, suggested that I order the pouches. They were right! We sold out of the first order and the second order is selling briskly. My apologies to Beth (seated in the photo at right in the pink dress and cream sweater) about having sold the pink goknit pouch earlier that afternoon. You surprised us all by choosing the navy. Way to step out of the box Beth!
Sonya also told me about the new website www.ravelry.com. Ravelry is a knit and crochet community. It’s in the beta stage right now but let me tell you, you’re going to want in on this one! It’s a place where you may organize your projects, your stash and your tools. You may share ideas and techniques with others, find new designs, make friends and try something new. I added my name to the list last night. Invitations are sent out in the order that they were received. Thank you Sonya for being patient with me and for encouraging me to grow.
Have you subscribed to the new online knitting magazine called Knitting Daily (http://www.knittingdaily.com/)? Well if you have then you’ll have seen the pattern for the Tomato sweater. The original is done in Blue Sky Cotton Hand Dyes and the color is reminiscent of the fresh vine ripened tomatoes of summer, thus the name. In the left hand photo Barb is working on a hat in Malabrigo and Miranda is working dilligently on her Tomato. At right, Amby is wearing her Tomato. Amby’s Tomato was just completed in time for KNO. She chose a different color palette as you can see as did Amanda. Both are knitting with Blue Sky Cotton Hand Dyes so the garments are beautifully soft.
I finally brought my camera to KNO so you can see all the fun we have there. It was Amby’s birthday so I called Val at Party Cakes (http://www.party-cakes.com/) and ordered one of her scrumptious Bumpy Cakes. Amby was surprised and everyone was happy to celebrate with her on her special day.
The market officially opened at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday June 2nd and that’s when the fun really began! That’s Pam at the Great Wall of Yarn. You’re able to snip pieces of yarn from the wall and tape them into books with room to write notes. Lots of eye candy!
I ordered some new buttons that I think you’re going to love. I also ordered leather handles for felted and knitted bags and some leather flowers for embellishing. They’re gorgeous!
I saw two great garments knit out of ”Touch Me” from Muench Yarns and of course I’ll have the patterns in the shop as soon as they’re available. One is a wrap (or scarf) knit or crocheted from many colors. The other is a “shardigan” which is a cross between a sweater and a shawl. I can’t wait until this pattern arrives because I believe I’ll be treating myself to some Touch Me. I’ve looked at, touched and dreamed of knitting something in this yarn for too long!
Nora Gaughan has joined the design team at Berroco. That’s Norah in the picture on my right. On my left is Margery Winter, creative director for Berroco. Wait until you see what’s new for fall! Nora has made her mark on the Berroco line bringing new designs to some of our most favorite yarns. Berroco has always brought affordably priced yarn to consumers in beautiful colors. Now with Nora’s eye for design and knitting expertise paired with the dependability of Berroco you’re getting the best of both worlds. Two of my favorites from Norah Gaughan Vol. 1 are “Aune” and “Kukka”. Aune is a hexagonal skirt and Kukka is…..well, I’m not exactly sure how to describe Kukka. The best I can do is to say that it’s an asymetrical layering piece. You may view these and all the new Berroco designs for fall at www.berroco.com
The other highlight from Berroco is a new yarn called “Comfort” and it is aptly named. It’s so sot. Like butter!” The Berroco booth at the show had little sweaters knit in practically every color. It was a great visual. This yarn would not only make great babies and children’s garments but adult garments too. Machine wash adn dry makes it easy care. Comfort is 50% superfine nylon and 50% superfine polyester so no wool issues here. I got to take a ball of Comfort home from the show so I knit up a swatch to have here in the shop. It’s so soft! You’ll have to feel it the next time you stop in. The yarn should be here the beginning of September but I’ll send an email to let everyone know when it’s here.
Pam and I had a fine time in Columbus attending the TNNA market the first weekend in June. We’re very excited about all the new items coming for fall so I wanted to give you some highlights. You may already be familiar with Teva Durham and her book “Loop-D-Loop” but did you know that she’s launched her very own line of yarn? Well she has and she’s teamed up with Tahki Stacy Charles, Inc. to market and distribute her line. TSC is probably one of the most fashion-forward distributors in the industry. They pay attention to runway fashions and color forecasts which is evident in their designs and color palettes for their yarn. This is why it was no surprise to me that Teva had teamed up with TSC.
Pam and I were invited to a breakfast sponsored by Tahki where we got to meet Teva and see the Loop-D-Loop line. I had previewed the yarn earlier in the season with the rep and liked what I saw but wanted to wait to actually see the garments in person before I made a decision about carrying the line. The designs have a little edge but that’s what’s appealing about them. Teva takes basics and leaves her mark on them. They catch your eye and make you want to pick up your needles. There are three yarns (Moss, Shale and Fern) in the collection and they’re all very versatile. This is what I liked most about them. You could achieve a number of different looks by varying your needle size. Teva does this and encourages the knitter to as well.
Stay tuned for more information about Teva’s yarns and when they’ll be in the shop. Mary Bell, our TSC rep, has graciously commited to teaching the workshops for the Loop-D-Loop collection. We’re very excited to have Mary teaching in the shop. She brings a wealth of knitting knowledge and experience to the table. I’ll let you know when the workshops will be held.
